Method and apparatus for recording a video program for user instruction

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a method and apparatus for providing the user instructional information describing the operation of their television receiving device system.

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) toU.S. Patent Application No. 60/509,064, which application was convertedunder 37 C.F.R. §1.53(c)(2) on Feb. 3, 2004, to a provisionalapplication from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/661,026, filed Sep.11, 2003, titled “Method and Apparatus for Recording a Video Program forUser Instruction,” which application is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to television recording devices forreceiving and recording channels of television programming. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus forrecording and presenting instructional materials.

BACKGROUND

Various devices exist that can receive television signals. These devicesmay be provided to subscribers of a pay television service. A paytelevision service involves a pay television distributor transmitting atelevision signal to a group of subscribers. Examples of pay televisiondistributors include, but are not limited to, cable television andsatellite television distributors.

A television converter may allow a subscriber or user to receive a paytelevision signal. More recent television converters may receive ordownload software from the pay television distributors. This softwaremay improve, enhance or add features to the set-top-box.

In these devices, the user may need to discover the new software andlearn to use the software on their own. On occasion, pay televisiondistributors may fail to provide a user's manual for their televisionconverters. Even where a user manual is provided by the pay televisiondistributor, the user's manual may not describe or may incorrectlydescribe the new software. Thus, there exists a need to inform users ofsoftware that is placed on their television converter and explain how touse features of the new software.

Another problem may arise when the user decides to install, by himselfor herself, the subscriber television system. If the user subscribes tosatellite television service, the user may need to install a satellitedish antenna. The installation of the satellite dish may be verycomplicated. The user may need to correctly mount the dish to the user'shome or business. The user may need to point the dish to an exact pointin the sky to receive the satellite signal. The user may then need towire the satellite dish correctly. The user may also need to correctlyconnect the satellite dish to the television converter. Instructions forinstallation of the subscriber television system may also be complicatedand difficult to understand.

Thus, there also exists a need to provide the user with understandableand easily accessible instructional information that may be related tothe operability or the installation of the system. These and otherdeficiencies of the prior art are overcome by the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method and apparatus for providing the userinstructional information describing the operation of their televisionsystem. Other features and advantages of the present invention will bedescribed below in a detailed description of certain embodiments of theinvention. These embodiments are illustrative and do not set out thefull scope of the invention which is defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the home entertainment system accordingto the present invention and the environment it occupies.

FIG. 2 shows the logical elements of one embodiment of a televisionconverter according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the logical steps of one embodiment of a method to informthe user of installed functionality.

FIG. 4 shows the logical steps of one embodiment of a method to instructthe user on how to install a home entertainment system.

For clarification, the drawings use a nomenclature for referencenumerals that has two parts. The first part of the reference numeral isthe drawing number, and it is followed by the second part, a two digitidentifier (drawing 1 uses 1xx; drawing 3 uses 3xx). For example, tworeference numerals in drawing 1 may be “102” and “104.” A referencenumeral in one drawing may be referred to in subsequent drawings; thesame reference numeral in later drawings refers to the same item.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this specification, the present invention will be described usingmethods and systems related to subscriber satellite television service.This specific description is not meant to limit the invention to thatone embodiment. The present invention may also be applicable to cabletelevision systems, broadcast television systems or other televisionsystems. The present invention is also described in terms of digitalvideo recording (DVR) devices. The present invention may also beapplicable to digital-versatile-disc (DVD) recording devices or othertelevision recording devices. One skilled in the art will recognize thatthe present invention can apply elsewhere.

As a general matter, the disclosure uses the term “signal.” One skilledin the art will recognize that the signal may be any digital or analogsignal. Those signals may include, but are not limited to, a bit, aspecified set of bits, an A/C signal, or a D/C signal. Uses of the term“signal” in the description may include any of these differentinterpretations. It will also be understood to one skilled in the artthat the term “connected” is not limited to a physical connection butcan refer to any means of communicatively or operatively coupling twodevices.

As another general matter, the disclosure uses the terms “televisionconverter,” “receiver,” “set-top-box,” “television receiving device,”“television receiver,” “television recording device,” “satelliteset-top-box,” “satellite receiver,” “cable set-top-box,” “cablereceiver,” and “television tuner” to refer interchangeably to aconverter device or electronic equipment that has the capacity toacquire, process and distribute one or more television signalstransmitted by broadcast, cable, telephone or satellite distributors.“Digital video recorder (DVR)” and “personal video recorder (PVR)” referinterchangeably to devices that can digitally record and play backtelevision signals and that may implement trick functions including, butnot limited to, fast-forward, rewind and pause. As set forth in thisspecification and the figures pertaining thereto, DVR and PVRfunctionality or devices may be combined with a television converter.The signals transmitted by these broadcast, cable, telephone orsatellite distributors may include, individually or in any combination,internet, radio, television or telephonic data or information. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that a television converter device maybe implemented as an external self-enclosed unit, a plurality ofexternal self-enclosed units or as an internal unit housed within atelevision. One skilled in the art will recognize that the presentinvention can apply to analog and digital satellite set-top-boxes.

As yet another general matter, it will be understood by one skilled inthe art that the term “television” refers to a television set or videodisplay that may contain an integrated television converter device(e.g., an internal cable-ready television tuner housed inside atelevision) or, alternatively, that is connected to an externaltelevision converter device (e.g., an external set-top-box connected viacabling to a television). A further example of an external televisionconverter device is the EchoStar Dish PVR 721, Part Number 106525,combination satellite set-top-box and PVR. For the remainder of thisdisclosure, specific embodiments will be described using a televisionconverter device that implements satellite technology.

Finally, as a general matter, it should be understood that satellitetelevision signals may be very different from broadcast television orother types of signals. Satellite signals may include multiplexed,packetized, and modulated digital signals. Once multiplexed, packetizedand modulated, one analog satellite transmission may carry digital datarepresenting several television stations or service providers. Someexamples of service providers include HBO™, CSPAN™, ABC™, CBS™, orESPN™. In satellite television, a service provider can also be comparedto a “channel.”

The term “channel,” as used in this description, carries a differentmeaning from its normal connotation. In broadcast television, differentanalog signals of a television station may be carried on a carrierfrequency and its sub-channels. A tuner in a television may then acquireand process these signals. In broadcast television, the term channel hasthus become synonymous with the sub-channel or the station on thatsub-channel. The normal connotation of the term “channel” is thereforenot always appropriate to describe satellite television transmissionswhere multiple stations may be multiplexed onto a single carrierfrequency. Satellite television distributors, however, may organize thesatellite data into a group of different “virtual channels.” Thesevirtual channels give the impression that the satellite televisionprograms (the service providers) are placed in channels. This impressionmay assist user operation of the satellite set-top-box since it modelsan analog television or analog receiving device. The virtual channelsmay appear in the electronic program guide (EPG) data and the user maychoose programming by selecting a virtual channel. For instance, theuser can select HBO, which may be on virtual channel 300, or CSPAN,which may be on virtual channel 210. These service providers or virtualchannels are not necessarily carried in the same signal being sent fromthe same satellite. EPG data may come from a service provider (e.g.,HBO), content provider (e.g., Disney), a third party (e.g., TV Guide) orfrom another outside entity.

Thus, in satellite television service a channel may not be the same asin broadcast television service. Rather, channels may be more properlytermed service providers in satellite television service. The term“channel” will be used in this description to describe the serviceproviders and the virtual channels they may occupy.

FIG. 1 presents an embodiment of a home entertainment system 102 thatincludes a television converter device 100 in the form of a satelliteset-top-box. Generally, the satellite set-top-box 100 may receive one ormore television signals from a cable television distributor (not shown),from a broadcast television distributor (not shown) or from a satellitetelevision distributor 104. As a preferred embodiment, homeentertainment system 102 receives signals from satellite televisiondistributor 104. One skilled in the art will recognize that set-top-box100 may also receive video-digital subscriber line (DSL), DSL, Internet,wireless and other signals from content or video distributors. Astandard phone line 112 may be provided to facilitate suchcommunications, as well as other communications, such as EPG (electronicprogram guide) information and system setup and/or diagnostics, asappropriate or desired. The satellite set-top-box 100 may processtelevision signals and may send the processed signals to peripheralelectronic devices, such as a television 120 and remote control 126. Thesatellite set-top-box 100 also may accept commands from a remote control126 or other peripheral electronic devices. More detail about thefunctionality of the satellite set-top-box 100 is provided below.

To further describe the home entertainment system, embodiments relatingto receiving satellite television signals will be explained in moredetail. A satellite television distributor 104 may transmit one or moresatellite television signals 128 to one or more satellites 106.Satellite television distributors may utilize several satellites 106 torelay the satellite television signals to a subscriber. Each satellite106 may have several transponders. Transponders transmit the signal 130from the satellite to the subscriber. For example, these signals 130 maybe transmitted at a frequency of 2150 Mhz.

A transponder may also polarize the transmitted signal 130 in severalways. One form of polarization in satellite transmissions is circularpolarization. For example, transponders of satellite 106 may transmittwo signals (together as signal 130) on the same transponder, one signalthat is right-hand polarized and another signal that is left-handpolarized. In other words, two signals may be simultaneously transmittedwith opposite polarizations. The opposite polarizations may preventinterference. One skilled in the art will recognize that other ways ofpolarizing signals are possible.

The polarized signals can be received at satellite communication device108. The satellite communication device 108 may include one or more ofthe components that follow. One component of satellite communicationdevice 108 may be a satellite dish. A satellite dish can focus thesignal on one or more low-noise block filters (LNBF), also referred toas low-noise block down converters (LNBDC). The LNBFs may de-polarizeand initially process the signal. This initial processing may includefiltering noise from the signal and down-converting the signal.Down-conversion is sometimes required to transmit the signal 110 throughcertain cables, such as coaxial cables. The signal 110 arrives at thetelevision converter device 100 via cabling. One skilled in the art willrecognize that other methods and other systems of delivering thesatellite signal 110 to the satellite set-top-box 100 may be possible.

FIG. 2 provides a high level block diagram for the satellite televisionconverter device 100, 200 with DVR functionality in accordance with thepresent invention.

The signal 110, 204 that arrives at the satellite set top box 200 mayundergo extensive processing. The television converter 200 may includeone or more tuner devices 206 that may receive a satellite signal 204.In this embodiment, tuner device 206 acquires a satellite signal 204from satellite television distributor 104. Tuner device 206 mayinitially process the satellite signal 204. Tuner device 206 may alsoreceive subscriber commands in the form of signals from controlelectronics unit 202. Signals from control electronics unit 202 mayinclude, but is not limited to, a signal to tune to a transponder aspart of the process of selecting a certain channel for viewing on aperipheral device. One skilled in the art would recognize that the tunerdevice 206 may include fewer, more, or different components.

After receiving the signal 204, one of the first steps may be todemodulate 208 the signal 204. The signal 204 may arrive as an analogsignal that “carries” data (e.g., data is modulated onto the analogsignal). Demodulation 208 may be accomplished by reversing themodulation process. Modulation can be done in several ways. Modulationmay include amplitude modulation (AM) or frequency modulation (FM). Ifthe carried data is digital, modulation methods include, but are notlimited to, biphase-shift keying (BPSK), quadraphase-shift keying(QPSK), or eight-phase shift keying (8PSK). One skilled in the art willrecognize that other methods of modulating and demodulating the signal204 may be possible. Another one of the first steps may also be to errorcheck 208 signal 204. One example of error checking 208 is forward errorchecking (FEC). FEC 208 may include, but is not limited to, inspectingparity bit or bits that may accompany signal 204. One skilled in the artwill recognize that many methods for error checking are possible. Forthe purposes of discussion, an embodiment using digital data will bediscussed below. However, one skilled in the art will recognize thatsystems with analog data or combined analog and digital data are alsopossible and contemplated herein.

In this embodiment, satellite set-top-box 200 contains controlelectronics unit 202 that receives satellite signal 204. One skilled inthe art will recognize that control electronics 202 may receive othersignals, including, but not limited to, signals from a cable orbroadcast television distributor. One example of a control electronicsunit 202 is the STMicroelectronics STi5517 Low-Cost Interactive Set-topBox Decoder, Part No. 7424736A. In a preferred embodiment, controlelectronics unit 202 includes discrete electronic components combinedinto a single circuit with a shared bus 210. In other embodiments,control electronics unit 202 may be configured differently. For example,one or more of the control electronics unit 202 components inset-top-box 200 may be combined or omitted. The control electronics unit202 may use a custom ASIC, such as from the LSILogic G11 family, orFPGA, such as from the Altera Stratix™ family. As a further example, oneor more of the control electronics unit 202 components in set-top-box200 may not share a bus 210, but may nonetheless be operativelyconnected by some other means. One skilled in the art will recognizethat other configurations of set-top-box 200 and control electronicsunit 202 are possible and within the scope of this invention. Oneskilled in the art will further recognize that some components ofset-top-box 200 and control electronics unit 202 may be implemented inhardware or software. The control electronics unit 202 may operate underthe control of a software program, firmware program, or some otherprogram stored in memory or control logic. One skilled in the art willalso recognize that the control electronics unit 202 may include otherelectronic components or structures to mediate or process signals.

Control electronics unit 202 may contain one or morecentral-processing-units (CPUs) 212 or processors. A preferredembodiment of control electronics unit 202 contains a single CPU 212that is operatively connected to the shared bus. In one embodiment, CPU212 may be used, among other things, for logical operations forset-top-box 200 functions including, but not limited to, channelselection, recording control, EPG display and control and systemmaintenance. Examples of commercially available CPUs 212 include theSTMicroelectronics Enhanced ST20 32-bit VL-RISC, Motorola 68000 or IntelPentium processors. One skilled in the art will recognize that the CPU212 may be integrated with memory or other discrete electronicscomponents.

Control electronics unit 202 may also contain one or more volatilememory components 214. Volatile memory components 214 may include, butare not limited to, one or more SDRAM memory chips. Similarly, controlelectronics unit 202 may contain non-volatile memory components 216.Non-volatile memory 216 may include one or more memory chips, including,but not limited to, ROM, SRAM, SDRAM and Flash ROM. One skilled in theart will recognize that volatile memory 214 and non-volatile memory 216may be integrated within other electronics components. One skilled inthe art will also recognize that other memory components may be includedwithin set-top-box 200 and control electronics unit 202. One skilled inthe art will recognize that memory 214, 216 may be used for manypurposes, including, but not limited to, storing EPG data and storingdata for use by CPU 212.

In a preferred embodiment, signal 204 is in digital form (e.g., adigital stream) after demodulation and error correction. For example,digital stream 204 may use, but is not limited to using, the digitalvideo broadcasting (DVB) transport standard. The digital stream 204 maybe multiplexed and therefore require demultiplexing by XPORT Engine 222.Demultiplexing 222, or demuxing, may include separating the bits of datainto separate digital data streams. The digital streams may bepacketized. Thus, the multiplexing of the separate digital data streamsmay not be bit-by-bit but packet-by-packet. The packet size may vary ormay be constant. After demuxing 222 the packets, the separate digitaldata streams may be reassembled by placing related packets together in acontinuous data stream 204.

Each of the separate digital data streams may also be encoded. Encodingis a method for representing data. Encoding may allow the data to becompressed. Compression can provide the system with increased bandwidth.One skilled in the art will recognize that several different encodingformats are possible. In satellite television, encoding formats mayinclude the MPEG or MPEG2 standards. Beyond the raw data, the separatedigital data streams may include forward error correction, headers,checksums, or other information. All of this different information maybe included in the digital television signal 204 processed by thesatellite set-top-box 100. Control electronics unit 202 may thereforeinclude one or more video processing units 218 that, among other videoprocessing operations, may decode encoded signal 204. In a preferredembodiment, video processing unit 218 may include, but is not limitedto, a graphics processor, MPEG-2 decoder and a display compositor withseparate on-screen display (OSD) control for peripheral devices. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that video processing unit 218 mayalso include other electronics, including, but not limited to, alphablending, antialiasing, antiflutter and antiflicker filters, memory andvideo-rendering components.

Another discrete electronic component of control electronics unit 202may be a video encoder unit 220. Video encoder unit 220 may work incombination with or independently from video processing unit 218. Videoencoding unit 220 may encode digital stream 204 for output to one ormore peripheral devices, including, but not limited to, a television.For example, video encoding unit 220 may encode digital stream 204 forRGB, CVBS, Y/C and YUV outputs. Encoding may allow program data to becompressed. As a preferred embodiment, video encoder 220 may translatedigital stream into a signal using the NTSC, PAL or SECAM standards. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that video encoder unit 220 mayinclude other functionality, may be integrated into other electroniccomponents of satellite set-top-box 200, and may encode digital stream204 using other standards, including, but not limited to, MPEG andMPEG2.

Control electronics unit 202 may also include one or more hard driveinterfaces 226 and hard drives 232. In a preferred embodiment,television converter device 200 contains one hard drive interface 226and hard drive 232. Hard drive 232 may be used for many purposes,including, but not limited to, storing recorded programs, bufferingcurrently-playing programs (e.g., buffering a program may allow a userto pause or rewind a program), storing EPG data, storing commands orfunctions for the control electronics unit 202, storing timers or recordevents, and storing data for other devices within or connected to thesatellite set-top-box 200. As another example, hard drive 232 may beused to temporarily store data for processing by CPU 212. In thisexample, the hard drive 232 may allow the processor 212 to separate EPGdata arriving as part of digital stream 208. One skilled in the art willrecognize that other storage devices and interfaces may be substitutedfor hard drive interface 226 and hard drive 232 and are within the scopeof this invention. One skilled in the art will also recognize that harddrive interface 226 and hard drive 232 may separately or togetherinclude an integrated memory (e.g., a memory buffer, commonly knownreferred to as cache) and additional processing components or logic. Oneskilled in the art will also recognize that hard drive interface 226 maybe integrated into peripheral interface 224 (described below). Finally,one skilled in the art will recognize that hard drive 232 may beexternal and connected to satellite set-top-box 200. For example, anexternal hard drive 232 may be connected to satellite set-top-box 200using USB 2.0 or IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connections. Such an external harddrive may include a screen for portable viewing of programming stored onit.

An audio processing unit 228 may also be part of the control electronicsunit 202. Audio processing unit 228 may decode the digital stream 204for output to peripheral devices, including, but not limited to, astereo, television speakers or portable audio or video players. Forexample, audio processing unit 228 may decode MPEG-1 layers I/II andlayer III, Dolby Digital, Dolby ProLogic, SRS/TruSurround encoded audioin digital stream 204. Audio processing unit 228 may include one or moreprocessors, memory components or digital to audio converter (DAC)systems. One skilled in the art will recognize that other audioprocessing components and functionality may be accomplished using audioprocessing unit 228.

A satellite set-top-box 200 may be connected to one or more peripheralelectronic devices through peripheral interface 224. These peripheraldevices may include a stereo (not shown), television 230, smart card236, VCR (not shown), or other devices. In a preferred embodiment, homeentertainment system 102 minimally contains, but is not limited to, atelevision 230 and smart card 236. Television 230 may serve manypurposes, including, but not limited to, displaying televisionprogramming, displaying the EPG, displaying timer conflicts, anddisplaying other types of data, graphics and programming. Peripheraldevices may receive and/or send signals from the satellite set-top-box200. For instance, the television 230 may receive video and audiosignals and a stereo may receive only audio signals. A camcorder (notshown), on the other hand, may send video or audio signals to thesatellite set-top-box 100 or receive audio and video signals from theset-top-box to record. As another example, peripheral interface 224 mayinclude a processor or other electronic components to permit aninterface to content security devices such as an external “smart card.”In this example, peripheral interface 224 may then encrypt or decryptcontent for output to other peripheral devices. Thus, peripheralinterface 224 may perform one or more functions for multiple peripheraldevices, including, but not limited to, the synchronous or asynchronoustransfer of data between different peripheral devices (e.g., decryptingcontent using a smart card peripheral device and outputting decryptedcontent to a television at the same time). One skilled in the art willrecognize that the peripheral devices may include many types ofcommercially available electronic devices.

The home entertainment system 102 may also include a remote control 126,234 peripheral device, also sometimes referred to as a remote. Theremote control 234 may be used to send commands to the satelliteset-top-box 200. The remote control 234 may send commands via a wirelessconnection using, for example, infrared or UHF transmitters within theremote control 234. One example of an embodiment of a remote controller234 is the EchoStar Technologies Corporation 721 Platinum Plus Remote,Part Number 121150, that includes an IR transmitter and an ultra highfrequency (UHF) transmitter. The remote control 234 may be able to sendsignals to other peripheral electronic devices that form part of thehome entertainment system 102, including, but not limited to, atelevision, stereo, VCR, or DVD player. The set-top-box 200 may also beable to send signals to the remote control 234, including, but notlimited to, signals to configure the remote control 234 to operate otherperipheral devices in home entertainment system 102. In someembodiments, the remote control 234 has a set of Light Emitting Diodes(LEDs). Some remote controls may include Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs)or other screens. The remote control may include buttons, dials, orother man-machine interfaces. While the remote control 234 may often bethe common means for a subscriber to communicate with the satelliteset-top-box 200, one skilled in the art will recognize that other meansof communicating with the set-top-box 200 are available, including, butnot limited to attached keyboards, front panel buttons or touch screens.

The satellite set-top-box 200 may also include a remote controlinterface (not shown). A remote control interface may include any meansfor the user to communicate to the satellite set-top-box 200, and may beimplemented using the peripheral interface 224 of control electronicsunit 202 or by connecting a peripheral remote control interface device.In a preferred embodiment, a remote control interface may receivecommands from one or more different remote controls 234. Remote control234 may use infrared, UHF, or other communications technology. Theremote control interface may therefore translate an input from the userinto a format understandable by the control electronics unit 202. Thetranslation systems may include, but are not limited to, electronicreceivers and electronic relays. One skilled in the art will recognizethat other means to receive and translate user inputs are possible.

Another peripheral device and connection to the satellite set-top-box200 may include a phone line (not shown) and modem (not shown).Set-top-box 200 may use a modem and phone line to communicate with oneor more outside entities or systems (e.g., satellite televisiondistributor 104). The phone line may carry local or long-distancetelephone service. One skilled in the art will recognize that the phoneline may also carry other services, including, but not limited to, DSLservice. These communications may include requesting pay-per-viewprogramming, reporting of purchases (for example, pay-per-viewpurchases), obtaining updates to subscriber programming (e.g., updatingEPG data), or receiving updates to software on the satellite set-top-box100. For example, the phone line may communicate with the satelliteset-top-box 100 using an RJ-11 style telephone connection. One skilledin the art will recognize that there are many other uses for this phoneline connection. For example, EPG data may be transmitted to set-top-box200 via phone line or in the satellite signal 204. One skilled in theart will recognize that the EPG data may be transmitted to set-top-box200 by various other methods, systems and outside entities. Also, oneskilled in the art will recognize that a phone line connection tosatellite distributor 104 may represent other communication connections,including, but not limited to, wireless, Internet, or microwavecommunications connections. Another function of the phone line may be toperiodically receive the EPG data.

FIG. 3 is one embodiment of a method 300 according to the presentinvention. In this embodiment of the invention, a satellite televisiondistributor 104 sends 302 a software download to the satelliteset-top-box 100. One skilled in the art will recognize that sending 302software may include, but is not limited to, receiving and storing thesoftware by the satellite set-top-box 100. A download may be completedby sending software to the phone line 112. In another embodiment, thesatellite television distributor 104 may transmit the software to allsatellite set-top-boxes 100 receiving the signal from the satellite 106by including the software in the signal 130 sent from the satellite. Thesoftware may be multiplexed data embedded in the satellite signal or aburst of data transmitted on an unused transponder on the satellite 106.The software may be stored at the satellite set-top-box 100. One skilledin the art will recognize that there are other means available todownload software to the satellite set-top-box 100 and the aboveexamples should not be considered limiting.

The software download 302 may create an alternative, different, new orother type of feature or functionality for the satellite set-top-box100, 200. The control electronics 202 may install 304 the software. Bysending 302 and installing 304 the software, the control electronics 202may execute or operate the software features or functionality. Examplesof software features may include, but are not limited to, a new methodfor selecting a program to record, an alternative method for providingpicture-in-picture functionality, an alternative electronic programguide display, and additional parental controls features. One skilled inthe art will recognize that many software features are possible andwithin the scope of this invention.

Many of these software features may be complicated. In some embodiments,the software feature may be undiscoverable without instructions. Thus,the satellite television distributor 104 may elect to send the userinstructional information about the software feature. One skilled in theart will recognize that software features, in some embodiments, may becomprised entirely of instructional information or materials. Ifinstructional information is to be sent, the satellite televisiondistributor 104 may identify 305 the instructional materials to send.This identification 305 may match an instructional program with asoftware download (e.g., sending 302 and installing 304 softwarefunctionality). In one embodiment, the satellite television distributor104 may send an instructional program that only describes the newsoftware features. In other embodiments, the satellite televisiondistributor 104 may send additional instructional materials or materialwholly unrelated to the software features or functionality sent to theuser.

The instructional materials may be related to the operation of thesatellite set-top-box 100. The instructional materials may also educatethe user about the features of the satellite set-top-box 100. Inaddition, the instructional materials may describe old features inaddition to new features. One skilled in the art will recognize thatother types of information may be contained within the instructionalmaterials.

In one embodiment, the instructional material may be an instructionalvideo. The video may include an audio/visual program. The audio/visualprogram may be a recording of a person using a software feature, aperson generally explaining the software feature, or a person giving aset of step-by-step instructions. In other embodiments, the audio/visualprogram may include graphics, animation, or visual and sound effects.The video may show how to use a new software feature, what the featuredoes, or why the feature was installed.

In another embodiment, the instructional material may be an interactiveprogram. The interactive program may illicit inputs from the user orotherwise involve the user in the program. For instance, the program mayhave the user punch in commands on the remote control 126 to bring up oruse the software feature. In other embodiments, the interactive programmay require the user to do something to ensure proper functioning of thesoftware feature. As an example, the program may have the user perform afunction then report the result by punching a button on the remotecontrol 126. In other embodiments, the satellite set-top-box 100 mayhave the user send an approval or acknowledgement message to thesatellite television distributor 104 after viewing the program. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that other variations of interactiveprograms are possible and within the scope of this invention.

Methods for downloading the instructional material may vary. In oneembodiment, the satellite television distributor 104 may set 308 arecord timer to download the instructional material. Alternatively, asatellite television distributor 104 may transmit 306 a record commandto record the instructional material. In accordance with the followingembodiments, instructional data may therefore be received by thesatellite set-top-box 100.

In one embodiment, a recording timer may be used to record instructionalmaterial. The recording timer may be set 308 using EPG information 310.The satellite set-top-box 200 may store the recording timer. Beforerecording the instructional material, the control electronics 202 mayupdate the timer. The EPG data 310 is a set of programming informationthat may include, but is not limited to, program information such as theprogram title, event ID, start time, stop time, duration, ordescription. One skilled in the art will recognize that the EPG 310 mayinclude many other data records. In a preferred embodiment, the EPG data310 is updated periodically and frequently. Information may be extractedfrom the EPG 310 for use by the control electronics 202. In the presentinvention, this EPG data 310 may be used by the control electronics 202to set or update record timers.

A record command 306 may also be used to record instructional material.In other words, the control electronics 202 may accept record commandsdirectly from a satellite television distributor 104 without setting atimer. A record command 306 may require an immediate record of aprogram. For example, the control electronics 202 may immediatelyprocess, store and display incoming instructional material from the datastream 204.

The control electronics 202 may record from one or more channels thatmay be hidden from the user. A hidden channel may include, but is notlimited to, data sent via the satellite 106 that is not available to theuser. This hidden channel may be a high-speed data channel that sendsdata at a higher frequency. This high-speed channel may also be adedicated data channel or a channel that only transmits at high-speedperiodically. For instance, a transponder on the satellite may bededicated to the high-speed transmission of the instructionalinformation. The hidden channel may also be a low-speed data channel.The hidden channel may be dedicated to transmitting instructionalprograms or other data. An immediate record may also occur as abackground event while the system is operating. In other words, theinstructional material may be recorded while the user is operating thesystem and unaware of the record timer or command. One skilled in theart will recognize that other ways of transmitting instructionalmaterials are possible and within the scope of this invention.

In further embodiments, a satellite television distributor 104 may sendthe data without a record command. The transmitted data may be storedautomatically without commanding the system to record. For instance, thecontrol electronics 202 may recognize a data download and immediatelystart storing all data that is transmitted by satellite 106. In anotherembodiment, the record may occur when the television converter is likelyto be unused. For instance, the television converter may recordinstructional material late at night, when the user may not be using thesystem.

The control electronics 202 may store 312 this information. In someembodiments, the satellite television distributor 104 may specify whereto store the instructional material. In other embodiments, the controlelectronics 202 may determine where to store the instructional material.

The control electronics 202 may also indicate 314 that instructionalmaterials are available for presentation to the user. An indication mayinclude, but is not limited to, a visual or audio prompt that tells theuser a recorded instructional program is available. The prompt may alertthe user to view, delete, or ignore the program. In one embodiment, theinstructional material may be stored and ready for viewing. In anotherembodiment, the instructional material may be viewed in real time or atsome point while it is downloaded or recorded (e.g., using a hard drive232 to buffer the instructional material to the display).

The indication 314 may be accomplished using a television 120 to presentthe information in a graphical user interface (GUI) to the user. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that the GUI may take many forms. Inone embodiment, the GUI may be a list of recorded programs. This listmay have one or more previously recorded programs listed from top tobottom. Instructional material in the form of a program may be listed asthe first entry. In other words, the instructional program may be themost prominent program listed. In other embodiments, the instructionalmaterial may have some visual indicia to draw a user's attention to theentry. For instance, the entry associated with the instructionalmaterial may be highlighted or blinking. One skilled in the art willrecognize that there are other means to prominently displayinstructional material in a GUI.

In other embodiments, the GUI may incorporate a pop-up-window. Thepop-up-window may appear on the television 120 when the user powers onthe satellite set-top-box 100. The pop-up-window may show informationdescribing the instructional material. This information may include, butis not limited to, showing a description and duration for theinstructional material. In one embodiment, the pop-up-window may have anon-screen button to push if the user wants to view the program. Thisbutton may be pushed by placing a cursor over the button and punchingthe appropriate key on the remote control 126. One skilled in the artwill recognize that a pop-up-window may appear in other forms.

In another embodiment, the GUI may use a video introduction. A videointroduction may include, but is not limited to, an animated orgraphical introduction to the instructional material. For example, theintroduction may be an animated logo that precedes display of theinstructional materials. The user may be prompted either to accept or todecline watching the video introduction and/or instructional material.The user may choose to continue viewing the video introduction and/orinstructional material. In another embodiment, the video introductionand/or instructional material may automatically start playing andrequire the user to stop playback if desired. In yet another embodiment,the user may be rewarded for watching the video introduction and/orinstructional materials. One skilled in the art will recognize thatother embodiments of the graphical display are possible.

In the present embodiment, the user may request 316 to view theinstructional material. A user request to view 316 the instructionalmaterials may then involve transmitting and displaying 320 theinstructional material on television 120. In another embodiment, thesatellite set-top-box 100 may send the instructional material to anattached computer for viewing. In the case of an interactive program,displaying 320 the instructional material may involve starting anaudio/video program on the television and awaiting a user input. Inanother embodiment, the instructional material may be transmitted to aremote control. In this embodiment, the user may view instructionalmaterial on the remote control. Many other methods of displaying 320 theinstructional program may be recognized by one skilled in the art.

In another embodiment, the user may request 318 to delete 322 theinstructional. In this embodiment, the user may not view theinstructional material prior to deleting 322 the instructional material.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a method 400 for storing andpresenting instructional materials to a user. In this embodiment, theinstructional materials are pre-loaded 402 into the satelliteset-top-box 100. Pre-loading may include, but is not limited to, thestoring of the instructional materials at some time before delivery ofthe satellite set-top-box 100 to the user. Before delivery, a satelliteset-top-box 100 may be manufactured, sent to a distributor, and shippedto a retailer. The satellite set-top-box 100 manufacturer may pre-loadthe instructional materials. In other embodiments the pre-loading may beaccomplished by the distributor or a retailer. One skilled in the artwill recognize that many different entities may pre-load theinstructional materials. In addition, one skilled in the art willrecognize that there are many different times when instructionalmaterial may be pre-loaded. The satellite set-top-box 100 with thepre-loaded materials may then be delivered 404 to the subscriber.

The preloaded instructional materials may be related to the operation ofthe satellite set-top-box 100. In one embodiment, the instructionalmaterials may describe or demonstrate how to install the satellitetelevision system. Many satellite television systems may provide otherequipment to a user in addition to a satellite set-top-box 100. Forinstance, the satellite television system may include a satellite dish,a local TV antenna, several switches, certain cabling, and other suchequipment.

The user may decide to install the satellite television systemthemselves. In making this choice, the user may be required to correctlymount the satellite dish, to correctly point the satellite dish to asatellite position, to correctly cable the satellite dish to thesatellite set-top-box 100, and to correctly install any switches orother equipment. This process may be difficult, daunting, and confusing.

The pre-loaded instructional materials may aid the user in theinstallation of the satellite television system. In one embodiment, theuser may connect 406 the satellite set-top-box 100 to the television 120and turn on both of the devices 408. In this embodiment, the satelliteset-top-box 100 may then announce 410 that instructional materialregarding installation is available for viewing. To watch aninstructional program, for example, the user may send a command 412 fromthe remote control 126 to the control electronics 202. The controlelectronics 202 may then retrieve and display 418 the instructionalprogram on television 120. If the instructional material is interactive,user inputs may be sent 416 by remote control 126. Should the userdecide not to view the instructional material, the user may request 414to delete the instructional material.

The instructional materials may include a video program showing anotherperson mounting and pointing the satellite dish. In other embodiment,the instructional materials may include instructions and graphicsshowing how to mount and point a satellite dish. Another embodiment mayassess a quality of the user's installation of the satellite dish. Onesuch quality may be the signal strength. The satellite set-top-box 100may determine the signal strength. This quality of the installation mayindicate the effectiveness of the mounting and pointing of the satellitedish. If signal strength is low, the dish may not be pointed correctly.Another quality may be the elevation and azimuth of the satellite dish.The elevation is the angle between where the dish is pointing upwardscompared to level or the horizon. The azimuth is the degree of rotationof the dish along an axis from due south. Yet another quality may be thesignal interference due to bad cable connections. One skilled in the artwill recognize that other qualities may be measured. In yet anotherembodiment, the satellite set-top-box 100 may provide this informationas feedback to the user.

The feedback may be in the form of an audio signal or a video display.The user may then adjust the pointing of the satellite dish until thesignal strength is optimized. In this manner, the satellite set-top-box100 and the user may interact during display of the instructionalmaterial. In another embodiment, the user may point the satellite dishuntil reaching the ideal elevation and azimuth. Another embodiment mayhave the user check and tighten cable connections until signalinterference is minimized. One skilled in the art will recognize othermethods for receiving feedback and reacting to that feedback arepossible.

In other respects, the preloaded instructional materials may exhibit thesame qualities as the instructional materials described in FIG. 3. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that many of the same processesdescribed in FIG. 3 may apply to the method for preloading theinstructional materials, and are incorporated herein by reference.

It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attainthe ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein.While a presently preferred embodiment in the form of a satelliteset-top-box has been described for purposes of this disclosure, variouschanges and modifications may be made which are well within the scope ofthe present invention. For example, an additional algorithm could beincluded that requires playback of instructional materials to unlock oneor more features of a television converter. Numerous other changes maybe made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in theart and which are encompassed in the spirit of the invention disclosedand as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A method of providing instructional materials for atelevision converter having memory, comprising the steps of: receiving acommand to set a record timer at a television converter from a serviceprovider and absent a user input at a first time, the command to set arecord timer configuring the television converter to recordinstructional materials to be broadcast at a second time different fromthe first time; setting a record timer, absent a user input, to recordthe instructional material at the second time and from a certain channelspecified by the command; receiving instructional materials at thetelevision converter at a second time different from the first time; inresponse to the recording timer, storing the instructional materials inthe memory, the instructional materials being related to the operationof the television converter; providing through a graphical userinterface an indication that the instructional materials are availablefor presentation; and outputting the instructional materials related tothe operation of the television converter for presentation on atelevision.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the instructionmaterials relate to a new feature that has been downloaded to thetelevision converter.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein theinstructional materials relate to the installation of the televisionconverter and associated equipment.
 4. A method according to claim 3wherein said instruction materials are preloaded into the memory of thetelevision converter.
 5. A method according to claim 3, wherein theinstructional materials assess a quality of the user's installation andprovide feedback to the user.
 6. A method according to claim 1, whereinthe instructional materials are an audio visual presentation.
 7. Amethod according to claim 6, wherein the instructional materials arelisted along with other audio visual programs that have been recorded bythe television converter.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein theinstructional materials are an interactive program.
 9. A methodaccording to claim 8, wherein the interactive program requires inputfrom the user.
 10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the televisionconverter stores the instructional materials as a background event. 11.A method according to claim 10, wherein the background event is anunbeknownst operation that occurs while the user is operating thetelevision converter.
 12. A method according to claim 10, wherein thebackground event is an operation that occurs while the televisionconverter is not in operation by the user.
 13. A method according toclaim 1, wherein the step of storing includes: commanding the televisionconverter to record the instructional materials; and recording theinstructional information according to the record command.
 14. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface is apop-up-window that tells the user there is instructional informationstored in the memory.
 15. A method according to claim 1, wherein thegraphical user interface is a start of the instructional materials thatrequires the user to select later whether to continue viewing.
 16. Atelevision converter apparatus to store and to present instructionalmaterials related to the operation of the television converterapparatus, comprising: an instructional data receiver configured toreceive a recording instruction, absent a user input, at a first timereceived at the television converter apparatus, the recordinginstruction configuring the television converter to record instructionalmaterials to be broadcast at a second time different from the firsttime, further operative to receive instructional materials from aservice provider at a second time different from the first time, therecording instruction initiating storage of the instructional materialsby setting a recording timer, absent a user input, to record theinstructional materials at the second time and from a certain channelspecified by the recording instruction; a memory to store theinstructional materials, the instructional materials being related tothe operation of the television converter apparatus; and a processorthat outputs a graphical user interface, for presentation on atelevision, that instructional materials are available for presentationand outputs the instructional materials related to the operation of thetelevision receiving device for presentation on a television displaydevice.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein theinstructional materials relate to a new feature that has been downloadedto the television converter apparatus.
 18. An apparatus according toclaim 16, wherein the instructional program receiver receivesinstructional data at a high data rate.
 19. An apparatus according toclaim 16, wherein the instructional program receiver receivesinstructional data in a burst data package.
 20. An apparatus accordingto claim 16, wherein the instructional data receiver is a satellitetransmission receiver.
 21. An apparatus according to claim 20, whereinthe instructional materials are multiplexed in a data stream transmittedfrom a satellite television distributor and relayed by a satellite. 22.An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the satellite transmissionreceiver receives data from a dedicated satellite transponder.
 23. Anapparatus according to claim 16, wherein the instructional data receiverreceives data via a landline connection.
 24. An apparatus according toclaim 16, wherein the instructional data receiver receives preloadedinstructional data before shipment of the television converter apparatusto the customer.
 25. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein thetelevision converter apparatus includes a user input receiver.
 26. Anapparatus according to claim 25, wherein the user input receiver is aremote control.
 27. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the userinput receiver receives input from a user reacting to an interactiveprogram.
 28. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the memory isnonvolatile memory.
 29. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein thememory is a hard drive.
 30. An apparatus according to claim 16, whereinthe instructional materials are an audio/visual presentation that thetelevision signal transmitter sends to a television.
 31. An apparatusaccording to claim 16, wherein the instructional materials are aninteractive program that the television signal transmitter sends to atelevision.
 32. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein thegraphical display is a list of audio visual programs that have beenrecorded by the television receiving device.
 33. An apparatus accordingto claim 32, wherein the instructional materials are listed as the firstentry in the list of recorded audio visual programs.
 34. An apparatusaccording to claim 16, wherein the graphical user interface is apop-up-window that tells the user there are instructional materialsstored in the memory.
 35. A method for providing instructional materialsin video form for the installation of a satellite television receiver,having a hard drive for the recording of video programming, and theinstallation of an associated satellite antenna that requires precisepointing for the reception of video programming from a satellite, themethod comprising: receiving a service provider initiated command,absent a user input, at a first time, the command being to store a videopresentation to be broadcast at a second time different from the firsttime; setting a recording time, absent a user input, to record the videopresentation at the second time and from a certain channel specified bythe service provider initiated command; receiving the video presentationat the second time; in response to the recording timer, storing on ahard drive of the satellite television receiver information, in videoform, prior to the distribution process for said satellite televisionreceiver, the video presentation concerning the installation of thesatellite television receiver including the mounting and pointing of thesatellite antenna; providing a user interface allowing a user of thesatellite television receiver to play the video presentation concerningthe installation of the satellite television receiver including themounting and pointing of the satellite antenna and to display a signalstrength measurement; outputting said video from said satellitetelevision receiver and said signal strength measurement for displayingon an associated television display; whereby a user of the satellitetelevision receiver can watch such instructional video materials forpointing said satellite antenna prior to actually pointing the satelliteantenna.
 36. A method according to claim 35 wherein said videopresentation concerning the installation of the satellite televisionreceiver including the mounting and pointing of the satellite antenna isrecorded to said satellite television receiver hard drive during themanufacturing process for said satellite television receiver.
 37. Amethod according to claim 1, wherein the record timer is generated atleast partially using data contained in an electronic program guide. 38.A method according to claim 1, wherein the first time precedes thesecond time.
 39. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the firsttime precedes the second time.
 40. A method according to claim 35,wherein the first time precedes the second time.